HRD Minister Nara Lokesh interacting with a differently-abled person after the launch of Divyang Shakti scheme on Wednesday. Placing jobs at the centre of the government’s agenda, Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday announced that a job calendar would be released every Ugadi, signalling a structured approach to employment generation in the State. Addressing beneficiaries of the Divyang Shakti scheme after its launch, Mr. Lokesh said the NDA government had already filled 16,000 teacher posts through Mega DSC and would institutionalise the annual job calendar going forward. Large-scale employment would also come through the private sector investment, with efforts underway to attract multiple companies to Andhra Pradesh, he said. IT ecosystem in Mangalagiri “The government has plans to develop an IT ecosystem in Mangalagiri, stating that 4–5 firms will be set up, with 75 acres of land being acquired at Kaza to overcome land constraints,” he said, adding, “Welfare and development are being given equal priority.” Earlier, Mr. Lokesh joined Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan in launching the Divyang Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel to the differently-abled persons. Later, at his Undavalli residence, Mr. Lokesh shared a meal with the beneficiaries, interacting warmly and emphasising dignity and self-respect for the differently-abled. He said they possessed immense determination and could achieve great success when given opportunities. He also encouraged women’s independence and reflected on his own experience of studying and working in the United States, calling it a life-changing decision. Published – March 18, 2026 08:25 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Thunderstorm forecast in 24 Telangana districts on March 19 Watch: Iran holds funeral procession for top commanders killed in Israeli air strikes